Trip To Canberra - Advice Needed

GreatWestern · Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:01 pm

Hello all,

I am off for a trip to Canberra on Thursday 15th March, and was after some advice.

I am going on the Down in the morning and returning on the Up in the evening, so I have about five hours or so to kill. Besides exploring the station surrounds, I was wondering if the station is near the Canberra CBD so to speak.

What are some railway landmarks that you guys would recommend? Is the yard busy - many freight movemnets etc.

Is the ARHS A.C.T museum open during the week? Is it near any shops etc.

Any info would be greatly appreciated, particuarly from those who have gone on this journey before, or just those who live in Canberra itself

Cheers and Kind Regards,
Great Western.

steven_h · Posted: Tue Mar 13, 2007 7:49 am

Great Western,
You'll have chased the Fuel train into Canberra on Thursday (but only about 4-5 hours too late).
Actually, depending on your arrival time, you may be able to still watch the (from my understanding) slow shunting process about 1km up the line from the station. A brisk walk down Canberra avenue, taking a left into Ipswich street, will get you onto the overpass for a perfect view. Even wandering down into the carpark at the back of Harvey Norman might help.
The shunt goes from ~4am to ~8/9am and then the empty cars are pushed by the two X class down into the sidings in the main yard.

Apart from that, you may be able to see other Xplorer services... but that's about it. Not much action in Canberra on rail.

As far as I'm still aware, the Museum is only open on Sunday afternoons.

I hope you enjoy your stay either way.